Smithfield man confesses to burning young boys with chemicals

LOGAN — A 33-year-old Smithfield man has confessed to burning two young boys with a chemical last summer and other crimes. Jason Summers accepted a plea deal that could send him to prison for up to 15-years.

Summers appeared in 1st District Court Tuesday morning. He pleaded guilty to two counts of child abuse and burglary, all second-degree felonies; one count of forgery, a third-degree felony; and, a charge of misdemeanor drug possession. As part of the agreement, prosecutors dropped the 11 remaining charges.

In June, Summers approached two-boys and threw a chemical-like substance on them. The five-year-old had minor burns on his back. The three-year-old sustained more severe burns to his face, eyes and chest. Both had to be hospitalized for treatment.

Summers tried to flee several times from officers before being arrested, including jumping out of an officer’s patrol car near 400 N. Main Street in Logan.

During Tuesday’s court appearance, Cache County Deputy Attorney Barbara Lachmar also explained how, in April, Summers stole a trail camera from his neighbor. He later stole a book of checks from a resident, who had hired the defendant to fix their furnace.

Later in June, a family member attempted to sell Summers’ vehicle. When they opened the car door they found heroin, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia inside.

Summers previously underwent a mental evaluation. He spoke only briefly during Tuesday’s hearing, telling the court he understood he was waiving his rights by pleading guilty.

The plea deal protects the young boys and their family from having to testify during a trial.

Judge Brian Cannell ordered Summers to remain in jail, where he is being held without bail. He also scheduled sentencing for March 12.

In 2016, Summers was convicted of discharging a firearm and possession of drugs after he broke into an LDS Church and then tried to shoot at a neighbor. He was ordered to serve 90-days in jail and then placed on probation for one year.


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